A Vibrant Celebration of the Unconquered Spirit Closes Out the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025  

Select Closing Ceremony images, more available at invictusgames2025.ca/media-hub/.   

Vancouver, BC, February 16, 2025 – The Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025, presented by ATCO and Boeing, concluded tonight with a spectacular sold out Closing Ceremony with 11,532 in attendance Live at Rogers Arena celebrating the unconquered Invictus Spirit. The evening served as a compelling testament to the resilience, courage, and determination of wounded, injured and sick service members and Veterans from around the world and their supporters, who came together to use sport as a platform for recovery and healing.   

The Closing Ceremony showcased a vibrant display of pageantry, music, and symbolism, celebrating the spirit of resilience and unity that defines the Invictus Games. Highlights included the Parade of Nations’ Flags, a stirring performance by the Canadian Armed Forces Band, and an inspiring address by BC’s renowned accessibility advocate Rick Hansen. The emotional pinnacle came as Canadian designer, Chloe Angus — using a groundbreaking exoskeleton by B.C.’s Human in Motion Robotics —walked the Invictus Games flag to Team Canada Captains Cheryl Belanger and Kiernan Underwood. The flag was then passed to the Canadian Minister of Veterans Affairs, the Invictus Games Foundation, and finally to representatives from Birmingham, UK, host organizers of the 2027 Invictus Games.   

Tonight’s Ceremony also capped off an extraordinary nine days of sport, recovery, and camaraderie, with standout musical performances from Quebec’s pop sensation Marie-Mai, Grammy-nominated duo The War and Treaty, American country star and mental health advocate Jelly Roll, and an unforgettable closing set by Canadian icons Barenaked Ladies.  

The show also honoured the vital role of the Four Host First Nations – Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh, and Lil’wat – in the success of the Games. Their leadership and support guided the journey, leaving a lasting legacy of partnership, friendship and greater understanding.  

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Founding Patron of the Invictus Games Foundation, delivered a heartfelt address including inviting the Invictus Family to stand and be recognized, to resounding applause and cheers from the audience. He too received a standing ovation during Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s speaking remarks, who thanked him for his energy, dedication and commitment to the Games since its inception. The Duke of Sussex spoke about the challenges faced by Invictus Games competitors, recognizing how difficult and uncertain the path can be and that they’ve shown everyone what it means to never give up, to never give in. 

Scott Moore, CEO of the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025, spoke of the legacies of inspiration and gratitude, and paid tribute to the nearly 2,000 volunteers, who dedicated their time and energy to ensuring every event ran seamlessly. 

A page of Closing Ceremony speaker quotes follows.   

Rogers Arena was chosen as the venue for the Closing Ceremony as part of a close partnership between Canucks Sports and Entertainment (CSE) and the Organizing Committee since the bid phase, working collaboratively on strategic planning.  CSE generously donated the rental of Rogers Arena and helped to raise awareness and drive excitement within the communities of Vancouver and Whistler.   

The evening concluded with enthusiastic applause and cheers of appreciation from the jubilant crowd, bringing to a close the seventh edition of the Invictus Games. With the Invictus Games flag now passed to Birmingham, the healing power of recovery through sport lives on.  

Quotes:  

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Founding Patron of the Invictus Games Foundation 

“You may swear allegiance to different flags, but you stand united in your decency, your compassion, and your spirit of service. I can’t stand before you and promise there won’t be challenging times ahead. But I promise you, you’re better equipped now than you were before. You’ve reclaimed what was lost. Restored what was broken. Achieved the impossible.” 

Prime Minister of Canada, the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau  

“To the Canadian competitors. I think I speak for our entire 41-million strong family when I say how grateful we are for every single one of you. You are an inspiration to all Canadians, from coast to coast to coast.”  

Chair and CEO of ATCO, Nancy Southern 

“Over the past week, we have borne witness to an incredible tapestry of human triumph—woven by those who have faced the unthinkable and emerged not just as survivors but as warriors, champions, and indeed, Invictus—unconquered. My Family and all the people at ATCO will carry forward these lessons of courage and determination that you all shared with us this past week.”   

President, Boeing Canada, Al Meinzinger  

“This week, we learned that the Invictus Games is about love. Love for your country, love for your flag and love for your battle buddies who have stood shoulder to shoulder with you during the tough times and certainly at your times through this journey. But it is the love of family that has moved us the most. Their presence, their tears, their hugs and their unbreakable commitment to you….  husbands, wives, sons, daughters and grandparents…… they have made this Invictus journey so powerful and so memorable.” 

Rick Hansen, Founder, Rick Hansen Foundation  

“Wow. It is an incredible honour to be among such an inspiring group of competitors, and even more importantly, an extraordinary group of human beings. You demonstrate ability and inspire us to see possibilities. You are amazing and have shown us all what is possible, giving hope to those who face challenges in their own lives.”  

CEO, Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025, Scott Moore  

“To our competitors….it was our honour to host you at these Games. Thank you for inspiring us with your resilience and your courage. You may never see the seeds you have sown this week grow but know that those who you have inspired will look back at this event as a turning point in their lives too. Let that be your Legacy of Inspiration that you leave here in Vancouver and Whistler.”  

About the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025    
The Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025, presented by ATCO and Boeing, is an international sporting competition for wounded, injured, and sick service members and Veterans. From February 8-16, 2025, the seventh Invictus Games brought together up to 550 competitors from 23 nations in 11 adaptive sports in the natural beauty of British Columbia, Canada. Invictus means unconquered and the Games celebrate courage, resiliency, and the strength of the human spirit. Through the power of sport, the Games inspired recovery, support rehabilitation, and generated a wider understanding and respect for those who have served their country.   

The Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 were held on the traditional territories of the Lil̓wat7úl (Líl̓wat), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. True Patriot Love Foundation, the Government of Canada, and the Province of British Columbia are the valued Founding Partners of the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025.        

  

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